These days, almost every website has an e-newsletter signup on it, but how do you get people to enter their email address? It’s going to take more than just putting an email box with the word ‘subscribe’ next to it!
Make it clear you are offering value: Why should someone subscribe? What will THEY get if they sign up? Why is what you say something that they will want to read? You need to make it clear that your newsletter is valuable to your subscriber before they’ll sign up.
Offer something for free: An author client of mine asked me how he could get more subscribers and I suggested he offer a free chapter of his most recent book. If you sell products, you can offer a coupon or discount for signing up. Have a one-sheet or even just a page of tips? Offer that as a free PDF download after subscribing. Here’s the thing… people like free stuff.
Be funny: Is there a way to make your topic funny and entertaining? People like comedy! Make your content enjoyable to read and more people will sign up.
Tell folks to jump on the bandwagon: If you already have subscribers, let everyone else know that lots of people already subscribe. Social pressure works!
Host a contest or giveaway: Have something you can give away? Offer it as an incentive for subscribers. Even if it’s just a chance to win a 20 minute free consultation. If you have the potential to win something for signing up, you’ll get a few more subscribers.
Tell people how you’ll use their email and that you won’t send them constant emails. The truth is, people don’t mind an occasional message that they can easily delete if they aren’t interested, but the daily barrage of emails is something else. Tell them how often you’ll be sending messages. Make sure they know they can unsubscribe at any time, and be sure they know you won’t share their information with anyone else. Everyone hates spam. Remember that.
Consider the placement of your signup form. Is it only in one place? Have you considered also putting a sign up at the bottom of each blog post? If someone has read all the way to the bottom of a blog post, then they are probably interested in what you have to say and may be more inclined to sign up.
Don’t just count on people to sign up on their own, make it worthwhile to them and you’ll get more subscribers.
Amy Masson
Amy is the co-owner, developer, and website strategist for Sumy Designs. She's been making websites with WordPress since 2006 and is passionate about making sure websites are as functional as they are beautiful.